Yemen’s most influential Islamic cleric, considered an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist by the United States, warned the government on Monday against allowing “foreign occupation” of the country in the growing cooperation with the U.S. against the terror group.

Sheik Abdul-Majid al-Zindani’s comments reflected a deep mistrust among Yemenis of Washington’s intentions as it ramps up counterterrorism aid and training for San’a to combat Al Qaeda’s offshoot here.